Orient Kamasu RA-AA0002L19B review

What it is

The Kamasu, named after the Japanese word for barracuda, is the sibling of Orient's Mako line and sits near the top of its entry-level dive range. This RA-AA0002L19B reference has a blue sunburst dial, a matching bezel insert and a steel bracelet. Orient is part of the Seiko Epson group but runs its own movements and design, and the Kamasu is often cited as an answer to the question of what to buy if you want a real automatic diver without spending a lot.

The movement

Inside is Orient's F6922 automatic, which offers a power reserve of around 40 hours and can be hand-wound. Accuracy for a movement of this type is typically a few seconds a day either way, with some variation between examples. Like any mechanical watch it benefits from a service every several years. Check the listing to see whether the caseback is solid or has a window.

The F6922 is an in-house Orient movement, which gives the Kamasu a story that many rivals at this level lack, and it is built for durability rather than thinness. Orient also quotes a seconds-stop for setting.

On the wrist

The case is around 41.5 mm across and fairly thick, wearing as a medium-sized diver that suits most wrists. The steel bracelet is solid, with a folding clasp and push-button release, although it lacks micro-adjustment and can feel a little rattly. The blue dial changes with light from a deep navy to a lighter blue.

Water and everyday wear

It carries a 200 m rating with a screw-down crown, so swimming and snorkelling are well within its capabilities, though it is not certified to the ISO diver standard. The crystal is sapphire, which resists scratches far better than the Hardlex or mineral glass found on many rivals. The hands and markers have lume, and the unidirectional bezel clicks in a controlled way. Screw the crown fully home before getting wet.

As with any diver, the bezel exists for timing dives and is not a gimmick, but it only turns one way so that an accidental knock cannot shorten the apparent time remaining.

Against the alternatives

The Orient Kamasu RA-AA0004E19B is the same watch in green. The Seiko 5 Sports SRPD51K1 offers a blue-dial automatic with a 100 m rating and Hardlex glass. If you prefer solar, the Citizen Promaster Diver BN0150-28E is an ISO diver without any winding. At a higher level, the Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80 T120.407.11.081.01 gives a Swiss option with a much longer reserve.

Who it's for, and who should skip it

It suits anyone who wants a real automatic diver with sapphire glass and a good look, without a large outlay. Skip it if you want accuracy to the second or a bracelet with fine adjustment, or if you prefer a low-maintenance quartz or solar watch.